Description:
International trade remains a cornerstone of the European Union's (EU) policy agenda, reflecting its commitment to open trade relations and robust engagement with non-EU partners to foster economic growth and sustainability. The EU, holding exclusive competence over its trade and investment policy, negotiates trade agreements, enforces trade laws, and represents its Member States in the global trade arena. This unified approach amplifies the EU's bargaining power in international negotiations, thereby benefitting European businesses by reducing input costs and facilitating exports outside the EU. It also ensures that trade agreements align with broader EU policies on environmental protection, human rights, and labour standards. This Special Eurobarometer 544 on Trade and EU Trade Policy was part of the Eurobarometer wave 100.3 and was conducted between 12 January and 4 February 2024. 26,601 respondents from different social and demographic groups were interviewed in the appropriate national language. This survey was commissioned by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Trade (DG TRADE).